Flora Tallinn recovered from a disastrous opening half-hour to earn a 2-2 draw away against Narva Trans, denying the hosts a desperately needed victory after they had raced into a two-goal lead.
Trans started with far greater intensity and immediately put Flora under pressure. Murad Velijev had two attempts inside the opening five minutes before Wisdom Awusi fired narrowly wide, while Flora struggled to produce anything going forward.
The hosts’ pressure was rewarded in the 15th minute. Yenerey Betancor delivered from the left towards the near post, where Flora defender Oscar Pihela attempted to intervene but instead diverted the ball into his own net.
Betancor then took matters into his own hands to double the advantage. Goalkeeper Mark Zahharov quickly started the attack before German Slein sent a long diagonal towards the left. Betancor beat Ronald Sammul and Pihela before finishing from a tight angle to make it 2-0.
At that stage, Trans appeared firmly in control, but Flora suddenly found their way back into the contest. Danil Kuraksin pulled one back after Tristan Teeväli moved the ball into his path. Kuraksin’s first attempt was blocked by Cristian Campagna, but the rebound fell straight back to the winger and he made no mistake at the second attempt.
Flora then completed the comeback before half-time. Campagna brought down Marten Kukkonen inside the penalty area and, after a lengthy VAR check, the original decision stood. Teeväli calmly sent Zahharov the wrong way from the penalty spot to make it 2-2.
The second half became increasingly physical and heated. One of the biggest moments came when Ilja Antonov was booked following an altercation with Stanislav Agaptšev. After being called to the VAR monitor to review Antonov’s action, referee decided to leave the punishment at a yellow card, prompting furious protests from the Trans bench and further bookings.
Amid the growing tension, both teams continued searching for a winner. Substitute Sander Alamaa came closest for Flora when his 73rd-minute free-kick struck the junction of the post and crossbar.
Trans continued to threaten as well, while Zahharov produced an excellent intervention outside his penalty area to dispossess Rauno Alliku. In stoppage time, Flora substitute Erik Sorga had an opportunity from a set piece but could only direct a tame effort into Zahharov’s hands.
Neither side could find the decisive third goal. Narva Trans remain bottom of the table after 27 matches, ten points adrift of safety. Flora’s title hopes are also fading, with the gap to leaders Levadia now standing at 13 points. Flora have nine matches remaining, while Levadia still hold two games in hand.
JK Narva Trans vs Flora Tallinn – 2-2 (2-2)
Goals: Pihela 15′ (Own goal), Betancor 27′ | Kuraksin 33′, Teevali 43′ (Penalty kick)
Next matches:
Narva Trans (a) Kalju – September 12
Flora Tallinn (a) United – September 12
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
25 | 19 | 5 | 1 | 66 | 20 | 46 | 62 |
| 2 |  FC Flora |
27 | 16 | 1 | 10 | 53 | 35 | 18 | 49 |
| 3 |  Nõmme Kalju |
27 | 13 | 5 | 9 | 47 | 26 | 21 | 44 |
| 4 |  Paide |
25 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 40 | 33 | 7 | 42 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
25 | 13 | 2 | 10 | 33 | 35 | -2 | 41 |
| 6 |  Harju |
26 | 10 | 1 | 15 | 36 | 43 | -7 | 31 |
| 7 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
25 | 9 | 4 | 12 | 34 | 46 | -12 | 31 |
| 8 |  Nõmme United |
27 | 9 | 1 | 17 | 44 | 62 | -18 | 28 |
| 9 |  Kuressaare |
26 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 30 | 42 | -12 | 28 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
27 | 5 | 3 | 19 | 21 | 62 | -41 | 18 |
